mortarboard
A mortarboard is a square academic cap traditionally worn during graduation ceremonies, featuring a flat, stiff square top attached to a skullcap, often with a tassel dangling from the center. The name derives from its resemblance to the flat board used by bricklayers to hold mortar. In English, it's primarily associated with education, symbolizing academic achievement, and is commonly seen in British and American contexts, though variations exist globally. It can also refer to the construction tool itself, a small board for carrying mortar.
mortarboard hat
A mortarboard hat is a traditional academic cap, typically square-shaped with a flat top and a tassel attached to the center. It is commonly worn by graduates during commencement ceremonies in educational institutions, symbolizing academic achievement. The name derives from its resemblance to the tool used by bricklayers, though it's primarily associated with formal education in English-speaking countries.
different graduation caps meaning
The mortarboard is the most common graduation cap, a square, flat-topped hat with a tassel, typically worn for bachelor's degrees and symbolizing academic achievement. For master's degrees, the same mortarboard is often used, though some institutions may add specific tassel colors to denote the field of study. Doctoral graduates frequently wear a soft, round cap called a tam or bonnet, which signifies a higher level of scholarship. Tassel colors vary by institution and country; for example, in the U.S., gold might represent science, white for arts, or blue for philosophy, while the tassel's position (e.g., right side before graduation, left after) can indicate the ceremony's progression. In some traditions, like in the UK, caps such as the Oxford or John Harvard style are used for specific degrees, reflecting institutional heritage.
square academic cap
The square academic cap, commonly known as a mortarboard, is a traditional headwear item in academic regalia. It consists of a stiff, square-shaped top attached to a band that fits around the head, often with a tassel hanging from the center. This cap is worn by graduates during commencement ceremonies to symbolize the completion of educational milestones. Originating from medieval European universities, it is a standard part of formal academic attire in many English-speaking countries and institutions worldwide. The tassel is sometimes moved from one side to the other to indicate the transition from student to graduate.
types of graduation caps
The mortarboard is the most common graduation cap, featuring a square, flat top with a dangling tassel, typically worn for bachelor's degrees in many countries. The tam is a soft, round or flat cap, often made of velvet, and is commonly used for master's and doctoral ceremonies, especially in academic traditions like those in the UK or US. The academic hood with a cap, such as the Oxford cap, is a soft, square or circular style sometimes seen in British universities for higher degrees. Other variations include the biretta, a stiff, square cap with ridges used in some European or religious academic settings, and the Tudor bonnet, a soft, brimless cap occasionally worn for specific honorary degrees. region's academic customs can influence these designs, with materials like velvet or fabric adding formality.
graduation cap origin islam
The graduation cap, commonly known as a mortarboard, has its origins in medieval European universities rather than directly in Islamic traditions. It evolved from the square academic caps worn by scholars and clergy in Europe during the 12th to 15th centuries, influenced by ecclesiastical attire in places like Oxford and Paris.
Some theories suggest indirect influences from Islamic scholarly clothing. During the Islamic Golden Age (8th to 13th centuries), scholars in centers like Baghdad and Cordoba wore robes and head coverings, such as turbans or caps, which may have inspired elements of European academic dress through cultural exchanges, such as during the translation movement in Spain. However, there is no concrete historical evidence that the specific mortarboard design—characterized by its flat, square top—originated from Islamic practices. Instead, it is more directly tied to Western traditions, possibly adapting from the biretta used by Christian clergy.
Modern graduation ceremonies, including the cap, were formalized in European universities and later adopted globally, with any perceived Islamic connections being more speculative than proven.
graduation cap meaning tassel
The tassel on a graduation cap, also known as a mortarboard, is a symbolic element in academic ceremonies. It represents academic achievement and the completion of a degree. Traditionally, the tassel is worn on the right side before graduation and moved to the left side during the ceremony to signify the transition from student to graduate. The color of the tassel often indicates the wearer's field of study, such as gold for science or blue for philosophy, though this varies by institution.
trencher cap
A trencher cap is a traditional academic hat, also commonly called a mortarboard, characterized by its flat, square top with a tassel attached. It is typically worn during graduation ceremonies in educational institutions, symbolizing academic achievement, and is part of formal academic regalia in English-speaking countries.